Whats should I do! Please Help?

My kids father used my car and was pulled over and he had one joint on him. He also had a warrant so they took him in and they took MY car to the police station so I went to the police station today and the detective said that I would have to go to the prosecutors office and pay a $900 "redemption fee for settlement" and he gave me a paper called a notice of intent to forfeit and said i should take it with me when i go to pay...I read the paper he gave me and it also says I can post a $250 bond and contest the seizure which I can more likely afford but does that mean It will be left up to a judge or how does this go? I really can't afford the 900 plus pay for impound so if its possible to get it back for 250 i of course would love that. Please help I appreciate all of your answers